In The Path Of Pain by Waitin' On A Train

Using the basic instrumentation of guitar, mandolin and stand-up bass, they harken back to the traditional country sound of bands like the Louvin Brothers and the Blue Sky Boys, though their sometimes unrelenting tempos and high spirited performances unmistakably have the spunk of the best rock and roll as well

Formed in the summer of 2004 by Tony Staub (mandolin) and Paul Wykowski (guitar) as a duo determined to shake up the stale contemporary bluegrass scene, they started covering the Stanley Brothers and Bill Monroe, using the hard driving mandolin style of Monroe as a blueprint for their own musical excursions. Soon they added 19 yr old Adam Sullivan on bass, and his tireless energy and incredible talent cemented the band's reputation in the Central PA music scene as they began drawing raves everywhere from fiddler's conventions to rock and roll clubs. With Adam in tow, Waitin On A Train became a steamrollin powerhouse of a band and quickly began to gig more and work on their own totally original tunes. Soon the band honed their sound into a spirited attack combining all their disparate influences into a sound that retained the high lonesome sound of traditonal country but merged it with massive gobs of punk energy and feverish instrumental workouts. In the Path of Pain is the culmination of those efforts and the 9 originals plus a cover of Canned Heat's "Time Was" truly lay claim to the band staking out their own territory in what some would call Americana, but at Bona Fide we just call it good music!

Though we are honored at Bona Fide to release this incredible CD, we do it with a heavy heart. In November, shortly after recording this CD, Adam Sullivan fell to his death from a scenic overlook along the Susquehanna River. Adam was a truly unique character and a great human being, and he is loved and greatly missed by all who knew him. We will never forget Adam and his endless zest for life and we are truly blessed to be able to present his last recording to the world. It's a fitting epitaph to an all too short life. You can read more about Adam's life and his influence on others in this post from the Bona Fide blog. The band decided to continue and Adam's friend Bert Streavig aka Johnny Hank has taken his place and the band has now resumed gigging. In the Path of Pain remains as both a testament to a great talent silenced way too early as well as a statement from a band who like the other Bona Fide artists, blazes its own brilliant path. Rough edges intact, Waitin On A Train pays tribute to past traditions not quite forgotten while creating a fresh new sound all their own.

For more info and photos, check out the Waitin On A Train site!

waitinonatrain.com bonafiderecords.net

All Music Guide 4 Star Review by Richie Unterberger:

Although this mandolin-guitar-bass trio play acoustic music with strong roots in Appalachian folk and bluegrass, it's certainly not traditional in nature. That's not just because all of the songs are written by the band. It's also because they're played with a rhythmic drive that's at least as much rock, or at times even a little punk, than most of even the most frenetic folk or bluegrass. Too, the vocals have a sarcasm-tinged snarl that places this a considerable distance from the more humble and reverent tones of early-to-mid-century Appalachian folk and bluegrass artists (and more contemporary revivalists of the form). While there's a bit of deadpan ironic anguish to their singing and songwriting, however, make no mistake: these fellows can play with infectious grit, and know the source material to which they're giving a slight twist. The vocal harmonies (between mandolinist Tony Staub and guitarist Paul Wykowski) might not have the high lonesome purity of the bluegrass virtuosos, but they their rough-hewn blend is appropriate, and bassist Adam Sullivan adds deft jazzy runs as effective punctuation. While Waitin On a Train isn't the first to attempt this cowpunkish strain, they do it well, giving a contemporary spin on old-time music without succumbing to novelty humor.

"...fresh sound that is both original yet firmly rooted in the traditional music of the Appalachian mountains. They reinvent the classic bluegrass harmony sound their own way, a rough-hewn jumble of American music served up with verve and spit. More like the Holy Modal Rounders than the Nashville Bluegrass Band...."-Rick Noll, Bona Fide Records- bonafide blog

"waiting on a train put on the highest energy most intimate set ever at the First Capital Dispensing Co and shook the floor with the hootin hollerin and dancing. fun times. fun sets. the fans would not let them stop playing. (and bought all their cd's too) " --pfr rockstop gallery

"Waitin' On A Train is about as old school -- in a good way -- as they come, and its members (Tony Staub, Paul Wykowski and Adam Sullivan) draw on the influences of Appalachian bluegrass/country music. Their sound is fresh and original, though it's deeply rooted in its predecessors."-ALEXIS DOW PENNLIVE HBG PATRIOT NEWS

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